Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-12-30


Entering his own room on the upper moor,
Henry placed the manuscript on the table
open at tho first leaf. His nerves were un
qucstionnbly shaken; his hand trembld as HI
turned the pages; he started at chance noise
on the staircase Of the hotel. .
Tho scenario, or outline, of the countess
play began with no formal predatory phrases
She presented herself and her work with th'
easy familiarity Of M old friend.
"Allow me. dear Mr.. Francis Westwick, Il
Introduce to you the persons in my proposed
plaJ Behold them arranged symmetrically
In line ~ M M
1.-THE lord The baron. The courier. Th'
Doctor. Tho countess.
Il don't trouble myself, you SOC, to invent
6titious family names My characters arr
Sufficiently distinguished by their social titles
and by the striking contrast which they pro
sent one with another.
~Ihe first act opens
"Nol Before open the firstaet must on
nounee, in justice to myself, that this play !,
entirely the work OF my own invention. ]
scorn TO borrow from actual events; and
what is moro extraordinary still, have MOI
stolen one OF my ideas from the modern
French drama. As the manager Of an Eng
lsh theatre, you win naturally refuse 10 be
licve this. II doesn't matter. Nothing mat
toIs-except tho opening OF my first act.
"We are at Homburg, In tho famo' + Salon
dor, at tho height OF the season. The coun,
tess lexquisitely dressedl Is seated nt the green
table Strangers OF all nations are standing
behind the players venturing their money, OF
only looking on. My lord Is among the
strangers. lie is struck by tho countess
personal appearance, IN which beauties and
defects are Enthusiastically mingled in the most
attractive manner. lie Matches the coun.
tess game, and places his money where b,
secs her deposit her own little stake. ShS
looks round at him, and says, DON'T trust tc
my color; have been unlucky the whole
evening. Play your stake on the other color,
and you may have chance OF winning My
lord "a true Englshman) bushes, bows and
obeys. Tho countess provesa true prophet.
She loses ngain. My lord wins twice the sum
that no has risked.
"Tho COUNTIES rises from tho table. She
has no moro money, and sho offers my lord
her chnir.
"Instead OF taking 1t, he politely places his
winnings in her hand, and begs her 10 accept
the loan rs favor 10 himsk The counte
stakes again, and loses again. Ny lord smiles
superbly, and presses second loan on l.er
From that moment her luck turns. She Wins,
and wins largely. Her brother, the baror
trying his fortune In another room, hears Of
what is going on, aud joins my lord and the
countess
aPay attention, II you please, 10 tho baron
He Is delineated as a remarkable and interest
ing character
@rhis noble person has begun life with .
single minded devotion to the science OF ex
perimental chemistry, very surprising in 4
young and handsome man with brilliant
future before him. A profound knowledge
Of the occult sciences mas persuaded the buroi
that it is possible to solve tho famous prob
lem called tho Philosophers Stone His owl
pecuniary resources have long since been ex
hausted 10y bis costly experiments. His sister
has next supplied him with the small forum,
at her disposal; reserving only the family jew
els, placed in the Charge Of her banker ant
friend at frankfort. The countess forum,
also being swallowed up, the baron hasin
fatal moment sought Tor new supplies at th,
gaming table. lie proves, at starting on hi
poriIons career, to DO favorito Of fortune
wins largely, and nlns profanes his noble en-
thu,insn, by yielding his soul to the oil dobas
ing passion Of the gamester.
AT the period OF the play the baron's goo,
frtune has deserted him. Ho secs his wa,
W GROWING experiment In the fatal searcl
after tho secret of transmitting the base
metals into gold. But how is he TO pay tn
preliminary expensesl Destiny, like mock
Ing echo, answers 'Howr
aWill his sisters winnings with my lord
money! prove large enough to help him
Eager for this result, he gives the COUNTIES
his advice how to play. From that disastrou
momcnt the Infection OF his own adverse for
time spreads to his sister. She loses ngain ain
aoain--loses 10 the last farthing.
uThe nmiablc and wealthy lord offers
thirl loan, but the scrupulous countess posi-
lively refuses 10 take IT, On leaving tho tab
I'M presents her brother TO my lord, Tn
gentlemen fall into pleasant talk Ny lor
asks leave to pay his respects to tho COUNTIES
tho next morning at her hotel. Tho baroi
4 hosDitabiy invites him to breakfast My lori
accents, with last admiring glance at.th
countess which does not escape her brother
observation, and takes his leave for tho night
| "Alone with his sister, the baron speak
ont plainly Our affairs, hc says, are in
desperato condition aud must find despernt
remedy Wait for me hero while make In
oniries about my lord You have eyidentl
sroduced strong impression on him. II W
IAN turn that impression into money, u
sontt4i. at what sacrifice, the thing must b
done